The government aims to bring 1.61 crore families under the Family Card scheme by 2030 and will distribute 41 lakh new cards nationwide in the current 2026-27 fiscal year, said State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin Putul today (14 July).
She made the remarks in parliament on behalf of Social Welfare Minister Abu Zafar Md Zahid Hossain while responding to a question from Dhaka-18 lawmaker SM Jahangir Hossain during the question and answer session.
The state minister said a nationwide integrated family census will begin at the start of the current fiscal year. Around 4.10 crore families will be counted to build a modern database under the DSR system, with the aim of bringing 1.61 crore families under its coverage by the 2029-30 fiscal year.
Beneficiaries will be selected through field-level surveys and Proxy Means Test (PMT) scores.
She said allowances have so far been distributed through Family Cards to 69,387 women-headed families under a pilot project implemented in three phases across 56 units in 55 upazilas of 44 districts. Field-level information is also being updated regularly.
According to the government's initial plan, 41 lakh new Family Cards will be issued during the current fiscal year. Upazila Nirbahi Officers have been instructed to recruit data collectors, and the Family Card Census Guidelines, 2026 have already been issued.
The draft Family Card Implementation Policy, 2026 has also been approved by the cabinet committee and sent to the Department of Printing and Publications for gazette notification.
Regarding Dhaka-18, the state minister said the pilot programme has started in parts of the Karail, Sattala, Bhashantek, Olimiar Tek and Baganbari slums under Dhaka North City Corporation.
She said Family Cards will be distributed more widely in Uttara and surrounding areas during the current fiscal year after the family census is completed. Ward-wise beneficiary lists will also be provided to the local lawmaker's office after the census.
Family card / State Minister / Parliament
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